RISE is an independent public utility Foundation. Our vision is to see a more sustainable agricultural system in Europe; one that engages fully with the circular economy, provides safe and healthy food whilst developing our natural capital; creates jobs and encourages investment in rural areas and conserves our traditions and cultural heritage.

RISE works as a think tank, bringing together experts to address key environmental/ agricultural challenges in Europe and develops high quality accessible research reports with clear recommendations for policy makers. It draws on its extensive network of rural stakeholders to highlight innovative practices developed at the farm level and provides a platform for debate on issues that affect rural communities.

As an independent non-profit organisation, RISE holds a rare position in that it can provide policy makers with entirely impartial and accessible evidence based opinions and recommendations on key policy developments and agricultural challenges of the day. The neutrality of the Foundation's work is ensured by its independent Board and a series of multi-skilled advisory committees that are established for the development of each piece of work.

The History of the RISE Foundation

The RISE Foundation was established in 2006 by the former European Union's Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, Franz Fischler and his Chief of Staff Corrado Pirzio-Biroli with the support of the European Landowners' Organization (ELO) and the Friends of the Countryside (FCS).

The aim of the Foundation was to inject new ideas and innovation into agricultural and rural development policy to improve European agriculture, the environment and the future prospects of rural areas.

In 2015 former European Union Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potocnik, a strong advocate of the Circular Economy (and indeed the initial architect of Europe's circular economy strategy) took over the role of Chairman from Franz Fischler and continues to lead RISE in its efforts to create a more sustainable European agriculture.